Prince Charles Will Participate in UW Event on Little Cayman 03/28/19

[scubadada]

Thanks @Seaweed Doc

I don't get it.

 

[caydiver]

I love it. The history is not something a country with less than 250 years can be expected to understand. They are not for 2 4 year terms. They have no choice They are there for so many decades and not as rulers but temperates. It took me many years to understand this. I may not agree with what they represent all the time but I guess I have come to understand what they are trying so hard to represent. So completely done with those who who just cut and paste from the local news with no appreciation for local feelings or the basic issues. Internet specialists at its worst.

 

[UFOrb]

Why does the UK have and want a royal family? Is it tradition, history, or is it a reminder of the more glorious days as a colonial power?

Many people in the UK don’t want a royal family but most do I believe. I think people generally have a lot affection and respect the Queen. However, many royals are not so popular and we would not miss them to be honest.
Personally I’m somewhat conflicted about it, I get the reasons for getting rid of the monarchy, but I do quite like having a royal family. For me it’s nothing to do with some “glorious” colonial past, but perhaps its having something other than a Prime Minister or President, that is not political and is generally a unifying force on some level, if that makes sense? They are also good for Britains economy apparently...

 

[UFOrb]

Not sure I can answer well, but like all social media that won't ever stop me.....

I'm a dual Canadian/US citizen so in theory I swear allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and I also pledge allegiance to a flag. Of the two, allegiance to a person seems more rational than allegiance to an inanimate object.

Another aspect is that the Queen holds no real power, but is a powerful symbol that can unite people. (In that respect, not unlike a flag....) That seems to be what @KathyV is getting at. During WW II, the King stayed in London at personal risk. This buoyed morale. Other monarchs left their countries after invasion by the Nazis, but formed "governments in exile" when ordinary means of forming governments weren't an option. Thus Holland, for example, could pledge to pay repay certain war costs incurred by resistance fighters after the war. The ordinary process of elections and such couldn't happen, of course.

Then there's the history and pageantry that are just fun: What fun would it be at Horse Guard Parade in London if archaically dressed cavalry didn't shout "Make way for the Queen's Guard!" when they changed the guard? Who doesn't love a royal wedding? The US equivalent (Kardashian nuptials?) hold no interest for me. (And I suspect monarchies tend to be money-makers for local tourist industries. Who wants to watch a royal changing of the guard if there's no royal? That can be an extra half-day of time in London by each tourist....)

That, and HRH Prince Charles and I are 16th cousins. Through my Swedish ancestors, about 700 years ago. And yet I've never gotten so much as a Christmas card....

A much more elequant explanation than mine. Must be your royal connection

 

[Seaweed Doc]

A much more elequant explanation than mine. Must be your royal connection

Me, and half of Europe are likely royally connected one way or another.

It's worth remembering that a lot of European countries have monarchs still, not just the UK. But perhaps because the Queen is also monarch of a lot of other countries, including some wonderful dive destinations, she is a "bigger" symbol of monarchy than, say, Karl XVI Gustaf.

 

[KathyV]

I'm not sure how I feel about the institution of royalty. I'm an American of Irish ancestry. On one hand it's seems wrong to me that somebody should be treated so special just because of their ancestors, and I would personally resent having to pay taxes to support the lifestyles of the nobility.

On the other hand, the monarchy is an important part of British history (and the history of many other nations) and it is a symbol that is integral to their culture and traditions, so I can respect that.

Sometimes I feel a bit sorry for the Royals. They don't have private lives and they do have a lot of public obligations - so I guess they have to work for the special treatment they receive.

I enjoyed following the development and execution of this recent royal visit to Cayman and it seems like they did a lot of things very well. The British Empire is large and diverse, so throwing a big party every now and then to welcome influential visitors probably helps to strengthen the connections between far-flung members of the UK.

The Cayman government certainly tried to put their best foot forward and that meant that some important issues were put on the front burner - so that they could showcase many improvements and progress - and that's not a bad thing.

And I thought it was really nice that Prince Charles also took the time to make brief visits to the small sister islands of Brac and Little Cayman because it provided some excitement for these quiet, rural regions of the empire, and gave those locals a chance to shine, too.

And the Royal couple also took advantage of the opportunity to demonstrate their support for important social, political, and environmental issues - so that's all good.

I'm glad that I wasn't visiting Cayman last week because I'd rather miss the excitement, but again, the Caymanians and the Brits seemed to handle it all very well.

I was once in San Diego on Veteran's Day and that town has a strong military tradition. There was a lot going on that day including a parade, and ongoing special events at the USS Midway Museum and elsewhere. Also the US President had come to town to make some public appearances. Plus they just happened to be holding the America's Cup Yacht Race at the same time!

It was mayhem! I could see the airport from my hotel but I couldn't get there because the traffic was so bad. So yeah, I'm not a big fan of large public gatherings and celebrations - but again - the Caymanians seemed to enjoy it and take it all in stride during the recent royal visit, so I'm glad for them!

 

[caydiver]

The Queen and all the members of the Royal Family pay taxes and pay for their lifestyles. They have vast holdings and are incredibly wealthy. Except for the handful who are directly linked to the throne, most hold down jobs. The PM like the US President is an elected official and gets paid by taxpayers and their lifestyles are also covered. I don’t think PMs do as well in the aftermarket once their time in office is up. But then again I don’t think many places in the world are so into celebrities as our neighbors to the north. In many countries famous people can go out and about without being mobbed and pay for their own clothes and stuff. It’s just different. Everything the Royal Family does on tour is pretty much scripted and they are very limited in what opinions they can offer. Coupled with the fact that they are born into it rather than choosing the life makes it even more surreal. The amount of money that is generated in tourism alone for the British economy is mind blowing. Whether or not one believes in the institution, it is unfair to say others are paying for them. It is sort of incredible to think that The Queen still works and will probably continue to do so until the end of her life. Don’t think I could be that dedicated!

 

[beaverdivers]

I am impressed that Prince Charles visited Little Cayman. I just wished he had taken a dive or two while he was there.

 

[Jcp2]

I have a sentimental space for Prince Charles. My elementary school was named a Prince of Wales (in Canada). Prince Charles visited us in 1977 in school assembly and we each got a poster of the new Human Rights Act to take home. It was much more low key than royal visits now. I think we sang O Canada and God Save the Queen for him. My parents might still have that poster somewhere.